Thank you everyone, all of this has really helped. I've dug deeper into the evidence I found, and I'm starting to think that he's translator in terms of the definition that Galium linked to.
I've attempted to add a PDF of the spreadsheet I've put together, as it was too long and complicated to put in a post without a table.
Basically, the George Knowles I am looking at, seems to have children with a Hannah Gleady between 1801 and 1822.
In his marriage to Hannah Gleady on the 7th April 1801 in York, he's described as a 'shoe maker'. He appears to not be fully literate as he gives a mark not his signature.
Then his first six children are baptised when they do the fancy records that note the child's birth order and their Grandparents names.
I've found four of these six children where their birth order is noted. I can't find the records so far for the first and fifth.
The second is John, baptised 19th October 1803. George's profession is given as 'translator - Coffeeyard'.
The rest Hannah 1805 (3rd child died young), Hannah 1807 (4th child) and George 1812 (6th child) all give George's profession as Cordwainer.
I know these children must all be from the same couple as the parents names, and Grandparents names are all the same.
After that we get a format change and are back to the more regularly, but sadly less informative baptism records.
For the records of all the other children George is listed as having with Hannah from that point on, have translator as the occupation.
Robert 1818, Henry 1818 and Martha 1822, all list George's profession as translator, Petergate.
So I'm wondering if the way George's profession is described on these documents depends on what he says on the day or what the person making the record choses to use. He seems to be a shoe maker on his wedding record, a Cordwainer in other places and a Translator in others.
To me it seems like the shoe related occupation one is the most likely overall?
